Outdoor Wall Fountains: The Many Designs on the Market

Mounted and free-standing water features are obtainable on the market. Small, self-contained models can be hung on a wall are called mounted wall fountains. Typically made of resin (to resemble stone) or fiber glass, these types of fountains are lightweight and easy to hang. Floor fountains are freestanding, large, and also have a basin on the ground as well as a flat side against the wall. Typically made of cast stone, these water features have no weight constraints.

Custom-made fountains which can be incorporated into a new or existing wall are often recommended by landscaping designers. The basin and all the required plumbing are best installed by a trained mason. It is also essential to add a spout or fountain mask to build it into the wall. A custom-built wall fountain blends into the landscape instead of standing out because it was a later addition, which adds to a cohesive appearance.

Water Fountains: The Minoan Culture

The Countless Construction Materials of Garden Water fountains

At present, copper is extremely prevalent for sculptural garden fountains. Copper fountains are the ideal option because they are perfect for the inside and outside. If you choose to go with copper, your fountain can be any style from fun and whimsical to modern.

Brass water fountains are also popular, though they tend to have a more conventional look than copper ones. Brass fountains are frequently designed with interesting artwork, so they are popular even if they are a bit conventional.

The most contemporary metal right now is probably stainless steel. Adding a modern-looking steel design will immediately add value to your garden and elevate the overall mood. As with all fountains, you can get any size you choose.

For people who want the appearance of a metal fountain but prefer a lighter weight and more affordable option, fiberglass is the answer. The cleaning of fiberglass water fountains is quite simple, so they have many merits that people appreciate.

Outdoor Fountains Come in Lots of Forms and Sizes

The splendor of a spouting fountain can be observed when it propels a stream of shooting water into the air. If your pond is significantly large, it can be incorporated without trouble. These sorts of fountains are often found in parks or historical stately homes.

Outdoor water features are available in varied forms, one of which is a fancy wall fountain. These types of fountains make excellent water features even if you only have a small garden. Spouting fountains usually make quite an impact whereas wall features are more of a subtle type of water feature. In a very simple process, the water flows out of a spout, trickles down a beautifully textured wall only to be pumped back to the top.

Putting in a fountain with a theme depends totally on the layout of your garden. If your bungalow or garden is styled in a rustic manner, you should think about including a traditional type of statue, such as a seraph holding the spout, to your fountain. Consider installing something bolder and distinctive for a modern-day garden. Choosing what to do is completely in your hands.

Tiered fountains are unique because the water flows down multiple levels. Cascading fountains is another name used to identify this type of fountain because water moves down multiple levels.

A significant amount of space is needed for an outdoor fountain, so another alternative is to install a wall fountain or a pondless fountain. Fit in one of these fountains if your space is limited since their reservoirs are hidden from sight below ground.

Serenity and well-being are a few of the main sensations imparted by Japanese fountains. Bamboo sticks are utilized in this type of fountain to expel the water. A rustic bucket or shaped stone is positioned at the bottom of this feature to collect the flowing water only to have the pattern repeated over and over again.

Another sort of fountain is made of glass. Creating a more classical look are trellis-style fountains which showcase shaped metalwork. Gardens with many sharp edges as well as modern forms and designs are better for these types of water features. As the water streams over the top of the glass it produces a dazzling effect. Colored LED lights are also included in some fountains to illuminate the water as it progresses down the sheet of glass. A rock waterfall fountain (often made of imitation rock) shows off water slowly flowing down its façade.

A large rock drilled with openings which then has tubes inserted into it is what distinguishes a bubbling rock fountain. In this kind of fountain, water is forced upwards at low pressure to cause it to bubble and gurgle at the top. Downward flowing water appears as gentle dribble as it moves down the sides of the rock to return to its base. Gardens with little space are good areas to include this style of fountain. The low pressure used in this sort of fountain prevents water from being spattered about in case of a windy day.

Solar powered fountains have become more popular recently because they run on sunlight. There are numerous reasons for this newly found appeal such as the absence of cables, less difficulty in running them, a reduction in electricity bills, and the benefits to the environment. There is no need to choose a specific model of outdoor solar-powered fountain because of the wide variety of styles found on the market.

Eco-Friendly Fountains: Good for the Planet

Running water fountains will lead to a spike in your electric bill. The short-term benefits may not be noticeable, but keep in mind that the increased worth of your home will be later on.

Higher costs is not the only issue with using more electricity, the environment takes a big hit as well. Solar powered water fountains are a good option to becoming “green”. Using solar energy to power our homes as well as a water feature is important because it also protects our environment.

This type of fountain needs less maintenance than others. Clogs are avoided because there is no motor - which means less cleaning. Which ultimately means more time to relax in your yard.

The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Outdoor Fountains

No more than 3-4 months should really go by without an extensive maintaining of a fountain. Prior to cleaning, all of the water must be removed. When you have done this, scrub inside the water reservoir with a mild detergent. If there is delicate artwork, you might need to use a toothbrush for those hard-to-reach areas. Make sure all the soap is totally washed off.

It is highly advised taking the pump apart to better clean the inside and eliminate any plankton or calcium. To make it less difficult, soak it in vinegar for several hours before cleaning. Build-up can be a big hassle, so use mineral or rain water over tap water, when possible, to prevent this dilemma.

One final trick for keeping your fountain in top working shape is to check the water level every day and make sure it is full. Allowing the water to drop below the pump’s intake level, can cause severe damage and even make the pump burn out - an undesired outcome!

Where did Large Outdoor Fountains Originate from?

From the onset, outdoor fountains were simply there to serve as functional elements. Inhabitants of urban areas, townships and small towns used them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash, which meant that fountains had to be connected to nearby aqueduct or spring. Up to the late 19th century, water fountains had to be near an aqueduct or reservoir and higher than the fountain so that gravity could make the water flow down or shoot high into the air. Fountains were not only utilized as a water source for drinking water, but also to adorn homes and celebrate the artist who created it. Roman fountains usually depicted images of animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners incorporated fountains to create mini variations of the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to illustrate his superiority over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. To mark the entrance of the restored Roman aqueducts, the Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries commissioned the building of baroque style fountains in the spot where the aqueducts entered the city of Rome

The end of the 19th century saw the rise in usage of indoor plumbing to supply drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to strictly decorative elements. The introduction of unique water effects and the recycling of water were two things made possible by swapping gravity with mechanical pumps.

Contemporary fountains are used to embellish community spaces, honor individuals or events, and enrich recreational and entertainment events.